Injured Aussie cricketers may return to action next week

Recovering from injuries- Bollinger, Katich and Harris - seem to be making fine progress and may just make it to the Ashes squad, according to CA.

Written by Press Trust of India

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Melbourne:

Recovering from their respective injuries, Australian cricketers - Doug Bollinger, Simon Katich and Ryan Harris - seem to be making fine progress and may just make it to the Ashes squad, according to Cricket Australia physiotherapist Alex Kountouris.

Giving an injury update of the key players, Kountouris said that all three of them were likely to return to action next week in order to prepare for the upcoming Ashes series.

Pacer Bollinger, who got injured in the first Test against India about three weeks ago, would, in all probability resume bowling next week for the first time since returning from the sub-continent.

"On returning to Australia, he had scans that have cleared him of any significant muscle injury," Kountouris said in a statement.

The left-arm fast bowler came back from India with a stomach muscle strain and could not recover in time to be available for the ODI series in India.

But he might just make in time to be a part of the first Ashes Test at the Gabba starting on November 25, as he is all set to prove his fitness during a Sheffield Shield game on November 17.

"As such he will commence bowling next week and is likely to be available for selection for the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield game for New South Wales against Tasmania starting November 17, in advance of the first Ashes Test," the physiotherapist added.

Meanwhile, Kountouris said even opener Simon Katich, who injured a thumb ligament prior to the first Test in India, will also resume his training next week.

"Since returning home, he has seen a specialist who advised him to take a short break from batting and then return to training. As such, he has not batted since returning from India but will do so next week."

However, Katich would miss the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield match for New South Wales on October 31 but is expected to be available for selection for the following games, starting from November 10.

Talking about fast bowler Ryan Harris, Kountouris said that he was making "good progress" from his knee surgery.

"Ryan Harris is making good progress with his rehabilitation from the knee surgery that he underwent in July. He is likely to be available for a Queensland Futures League game next week and will hopefully be available for selection for Queensland in a Ryobi Cup game on November 6.

"As long as there are no setbacks during this period, he will be available for selection for the Weet-Bix Sheffield Shield game for Queensland on either November 10 or 17," said Kountouris.